Look What I Found!

I decided my need to hang Christmas lights outside far out-weighed my need to eat this month (I kid, it was quite reasonable, just not planned).  So I now have 2 outdoor outlets, which are pretty cool looking. They are expandable and weather proof. I'm a happy nerd girl, or I will be after I get those Christmas lights out. And hung.

But in the process of running conduit in the basement, my friend Jenn (that's right, this was a group effort) found this incredible piece of history in my north coal room! 

That, my friends, is the builders mark! I had been hoping to find this when the renovation was going on. But honestly, I spend as little time as possible in the coal rooms. They're... Icky. Maybe even scary.

Thank you, E. Sauers, for leaving your mark! Even if it's not easy to show off! 

5/18/23 That's my houses' birthday. I think we'll be celebrating it every year. Especially in about 7 years!

Budget Constraints and the World Series

Fall is upon us and I had really thought that I would get a head start on winter by ordering and installing some storm windows.

It would appear that I was a little overzealous in that thought. Plus, I decided not ALL my money needs to go into the house this year.

So, instead of storm windows... I attended Games 1 and 2 of the 2016 World Series. My beloved Cleveland Indians had overcome adversity, injury and proved the naysayers wrong by sweeping Boston and clinching the ALCS in Toronto. I watched every evening game, glued to my seat. And when the call came... I was ready.

I left my happy home for a 13 hour one way road trip, a week of sleep deprivation and living like a teenager (staying with my Mom). My job allows me to work from wherever (oh the joys of telecommuting) and I had a friend with Indians Season tickets. And as the online ticket sale prices rose... I sat back and waved goodbye to a couple of storm windows.

I think I got the better end of the deal. Face value tickets, completing a bucket list item and spending time with my Mom.

The final outcome wasn't what I necessarily wanted, although I am 1/2 happy that we lost to a team that hadn't won in a century. But still, no one likes to lose... period.

And I'll just have to wait a few months for those much needed storm windows.  It's not like the steps are completed!!!  (I left the day after the floor guy finished, so it's been 2 long weeks).

I've always love the Cleveland Indians. I'll continue to #rallytogether and try to catch more games next season. Maybe attention Spring Training.  I'm grateful for the memories, the bucket list check mark and the reminder of how much I love the game of baseball! 

#GoTribe !!

Stairway Refinishing

I'd like to thank my Mom for her contribution to my home. Her visit in August netted me some much needed sewing and crafting projects, but her parting gift was a donation to the refinishing of the stairway to my bedroom. Or so she thought. I was actually able to stretch the money and get 3 of the 4 old cold air return patches completed as well. Sadly, the original returns are too expensive to replace, so I opted for a finished look, which is still pretty cool. 

Here's the before on the patches. At some point, when the furnace was replaced, they changed the airflow and size of the cold air returns. Sadly, the original "grates" were replaced by plywood.:

Here's the original return of which I still have 3 originals (this one has a little damage I hope to one day fix. They cost approx $500 apiece to replace and I had 3. (way out of budget. Also, I can't figure out how to rotate the picture):

And here's what I "settled" with (and what I love) Looks like it belongs there, almost:

The stairs are still "under construction". I only had the treads refinished. I haven't decided on what I'm going to do with the risers yet... So many ideas on Pinterest!!

Before, the steps had separated varnish and were ruined by paint and insulation goo from the renovation. I really didn't want to carpet the stairs as they are steep and narrow, so this is what I've lived with for the past year:

Note that these are pine treads. Back in the day, the money was spent on the main floors. These steps went to the attic, so the logic was that no one would see these stairs. Oddly, the landing at the top is oak, but nothing else, except the "storage room". It has hardwood/oak. Now, since it's the way to my bedroom, I wanted to clean it up and be presentable. Here's the "almost after"!

Pretty!

I need to regroup and hopefully decide on what to do with the risers. Right now, they are the blue/green of the bedroom. I know don't want them white. I have a feeling that I'll want either a pattern or stencil, maybe with the gray of the walls. Either way, it's another project that will keep me going for at least another month!